Match-box.



No. 693,723. Patented Feb. [8, I902.

G. LAW. anon Box.

(Application flied Sept. 24, 1901.)

(No Model.)

M M M M fl W W y m m M m W I w W M WITNESSES UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFIC GRANT LAN, ()F CENTERPOINT, WEST VIRGINIA.

MATCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,723, dated February 18, 1902.

Application filed September 24, 1901. Serial No. 76,372. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern; i

Be it known that 1, GRANT LAW, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Center-point, in the county of Doddridge and State of Test Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match- Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvementsin match-boxes, and has for its object the provision of novel means wherebyone match may be delivered at a time.

The invention has for its further object to construct a match-box of the above-described character that may be easily loaded with matches, but must be discharged in a manner that will allow only one match to be delivered at a time.

The invention also contemplates to provide a match-box with a gong that will sound at the discharge of a match and will be automatically operated with thesame mechanism operating the match-box.

The invention still further aims to construct a match-box of the above-described class that will be extremely simple in construction, strong, durable, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture,and highly efficient in its use.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail, ref erence is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved match-box. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View. Fig. i is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken on the line t 4: of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a modified form of matchbox for pocket use. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line-6 G ofFig. 5. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the ratch-wheel. In the drawings, the reference-numeral 1 indicates the frame ofthe machine and 2 the discharge-chute. I

The reference-nui'neral 3 indicates the cylindrical casing which is attached to the frame of the machine by means of screws 4:, the end of the cylindrical casing being screwthreaded, as shown at 5, to receive the screw-threaded head 6, in which is formed the central bearing 7, the opposite bearing 8 being formed in the inner wall of the cylindrical casing.

The reference-numeral 9 indicates a fluted wheel carrying projections 10 on each end, which are seated in the bearings 7 and 8. Said fluted wheel 9 also has formed on its ends ratchet-teeth 11.

The reference-numeral 12 indicatesa discharge-slot formed in the cylindrical casing 3,

and 14 indicates an opening formed in the up per portion of the cylindrical casin g, in which is secured an operating-lever V 15, the latter being pivotally secured at 16 and carries on its under side a spring-pressed pawl 17, said pawl engaging the ratchetteeth 11 of the fluted wheel.

The reference-numeral 18 represents a gong rigidly secured to the outer face of the cylindrical casing, and 19 represents a springpressed tapper extending through the slot 20 and secured at 21 to the inner face of the cylindricalcasing. Thistapperhasformed therein a shoulder 22, engaging the ratchet-teeth 11.

The match-box is loaded by removing the entire cylindrical casing from the frame and then by removing the head 5 from the said casing. The wheel is then partially removedthat is, it is withdrawn to such an extent as to permit a portion of the flutes to remain within the cylindrical casing, so that the matches when inserted in the projecting por tion of the flutes will be securely held by ongagement in the flutes and with the casing. This operation is more conveniently performed by placing the closed end of the casing on a support and then partially with drawing the fluted wheel, when the matches may be readily dropped into the flutes.

By operating the handle 15the spring pressed pawl will rotate the wheel to the ex l tably secured in said bearings, ratchet-teeth tent of one tooth, which will be the distance between the flutes in' .the wheel, allowing a match to be precipitated through the discharge-slot 12, as will be readily understood. Simultaneously withthis operation the gong will be sounded by means of the tapper riding upon the ratchet-tooth.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings I have showna modification of my invention which "may be used for the pocket, the operation and construction being identical with the exception of the frame 1, the gong connection, and providing a roughened surface at the end of the outer casing for igniting thematches.

The many advantages obtained by the use of my improved device will be readily apparentfrom the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention. I

Having fully described my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a match-box, a cylindrical casing having a discharge-slot formed therein, a removable head in one end of said casing, said head and the opposite end of the casing having bearings formed therein, a fluted wheel rotacarried by said wheel, a lever pivotally mounted'in a slot provided therefor in said casing and having its free end extending beyond the casing, a spring-pressed pawl secured to the under side of said lever and engaging said ratchet-teeth, substantially as described.

2. In a match-box, a cylindrical casinghaving a discharge-slot formed therein, a head in one end of said casing, a framc'connected to the ends of the casing, a'fiuted wheel rotatably mountedin said casing, ratchet-teeth carried by one end of said wheel, a lever pivot-v ally mounted in a slot provided therefor in said casing, the free end of the lever extending beyond the casing and carrying a springpressed pawl, a gong. mounted upon the periphery of said casing, the casing having a slot formed therein adjacent to said gong, and

a spring-pressed Itapper one end of which is 

